Mata: Enjoying learning from experienced boss Van Gaal

July 31, 2014

Whilst United looked fairly clueless last season, with it always unclear what exactly they were trying to achieve, Louis van Gaal has brought a definite vision to the club. With his 3-5-2 formation and specific individual instructions and areas for improvement for his players, Van Gaal is transforming life at United.

Juan Mata has praised the new tactics and claimed he is enjoying getting to learn from someone as experienced as Van Gaal.

“The manager’s new system could be very good for us,” he told the official site. “Obviously we need to train more and improve but I think it’s very difficult for opponents when we play like this. For me personally, playing behind two strikers is a great position to help me perform at my best level. The first thing the manager told us in pre-season training was that the first three months of this season would be hard, because we had to change our mind-sets and understand what he was trying to do, and there was a new system as well. It will take time to fully adapt but, in the meantime, we are doing our best,” Juan continued. “We’re enjoying training and the most important thing is that we are learning from him, because he is a very experienced coach.”

10 Comments

I've said it in another thread and I believe this is the case, the media haven't the slightest clue who we're after. The media have been constantly linking us with De Vrij, even claiming we were close, blah, blah, blah but this link below just proves how far off the scent they've been:

Hes a class act on and off the pitch, easily uniteds best player, the number 10 role behind the 2 srikers is perfect for him, not only is he a top top top player he is also a top guy which is rare for the modern game, im expecting big things from Juan this season.

@The One

I said he was lazio bound from when I heard from a mate of mine who is in the know during the world cup, he told me dont listen to all the rumours, hes already agreed to join Lazio and I mentioned that a few times on here, but typical of the media to be wide of thee mark lol.

Off topic Uniteds under 17s are through to the milk cup final, yesterday we drew 2 - 2 wirh CSKA Moscow to quilify for the semis and tonight we beat the scots Partick Thistle 4 - 0 in the semi, the goals were scored by Obi (On trial from West ham hes got a chance of getting a contract), Borthwick Jackson, the very impressive Demi Mitchell and Thomson, we play French side Vendee in the final tomorrow night, Good luck reds

Looks like if Chico does leave it wont be to Athletico madrid judging by their president Enrique Cerezo hes said tonight http://www1.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/9402450/atletico-madrid-rule-out-fernando-torres-javier-hernandez-or-santi-cazorla-moves "Many names have been mentioned, but none of those players, neither Cazorla, Callejon, Torres nor Chicharito are on our agenda. If we sign another player, it won't be any of them."

Evra unveilled at Juventus and he was asked a question about Nani joining and he said "He is a great player and it was a privilege for me to play with Nani. If Juve are interested in him, I can only say that Nani would be a great purchase." - If juve want nani I will pay for his air fare myself!!

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9401869/transfer-news-napoli-are-considering-a-bid-for-marouane-fellaini - Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has said today "Fellaini is one of the names that we are considering to strengthen our midfield, but it is not the only one."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9401480/transfer-news-juventus-insist-arturo-vidal-will-remain-at-the-club - Anybody else get the impression Juventus want this deal to happen? They keep talking and denying they will sell him every day, i think their trying to push the price up, skybet now have hi 1/10 to join United.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9401408/transfer-news-paris-st-germain-striker-edinson-cavani-happy-to-stay - Great news, as if PSG payed £55million for Cavani lol

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9401309/transfer-news-patrice-evra-relishing-new-adventure-at-juventus - Good luck paddy, I am sure ou will win a couple of more league titles.

@Tommy, yup, you had the privilege of having that info but most United fans are led around on a merry dance every summer with heightened anticipation, only to be left disappointed. I was just trying to temper their expectation, that they'll feel less disappointed when things don't happen. We're subject to this deluge of rumors every summer, it's frustrating to say the least.

Well, usually you can make some sense to most of the transfer rumors. And Cavani is one that doesn't make any sense, football wise and money wise. Totally overated player and not to mention grossly overpriced. More like PSG trying to flog him at a high price to balance their books.

About Nani, I believe there are few here who are hoping for him to come good, but I am for him to move on. His poor form has distracted the fact that he is not playing due to injuries more than form, and considering he is no longer a spring chicken, I say we should move on. Considering he has been linked to Juve for quite a while now, we should just offer to include him for Vidal

The situation with our defence is more interesting. LVG has said he is looking at defence, and as it is now, there hasn't been any persistent player linked with us apart from Hummels, which is unlikely to happen. Whoever LVG is looking at, he sure is keeping his card close to his chest

But curious, isn't declaring our formation so early in the season going to make the opponents well prepared to play us? I'm not sure if any other teams have been so open about their formation or strategy for the coming season. Or is this a normal practice?

I'm with you mate. I have every confidence in Mata this season and I'm predicting he's going to have a storming season. The fact it's most likely Rooney and RVP will be made to stay up top, it means Mata can concentrate on doing what he does best as a number 10. He's pretty much going in every fantasy football side of mine this season. I'll also add he seems like a really decent bloke of the pitch as well.